Walsall 3 Preston 1 - match report

The striker won and converted a second-half penalty before a 20-yard stunner made it five goals for the season.

James Baxendale's own cracker levelled after Joel Byrom's 10th minute opener as the Saddlers kept in touch with the League One leaders.

They moved up to seventh – joint fourth – with 14 points having lost just once in their last seven games.

Karl Darlow replaced David Grof in goal for an instant debut after signing on a month's loan from Nottingham Forest while Will Grigg started as Ashley Hemmings was benched.

The Saddlers started well, composed and tidy with the ball, and Nicky Featherstone's 25-yard drive was tipped over by Steve Simonsen.

But after 10 minutes the hosts were behind when Nicky Wroe swung a cross in from the right and Byrom was horribly unmarked to power a header past Darlow – who should have done better – from six yards.

The Saddlers' early efforts were undone after a piece of woeful defending but they responded well as Jamie Paterson's effort was charged down.

Darlow tipped Stuart Beavon's header over while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff blocked Will Grigg's snap-shot after 23 minutes.

While they were behind Walsall were doing little but lacked the killer punch in the box.

Their passing style saw them squander possession occasionally, something Walsall fans must learn to live with, but will ultimately carve chances.

And they got their reward seven minutes before the break with a classy goal from Baxendale.

Paterson's ball over the top found Grigg chasing and he laid it back to the winger whose delightful curling effort from 25-yards looped over Simonsen via the bar.

It gave the Saddlers momentum and 10 minutes after the re-start they were ahead as Bowerman bagged his first of the game.

The striker controlled a bouncing ball wonderfully on the edge of the box, turned Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and the defender hauled him down for a penalty.

Bowerman sent Simsonsen the wrong way from the spot and then made it 3-1 just three minutes later.

He dropped deep to receive the ball before firing a low 20-yard effort into the bottom corner.

The Saddlers were rampant and Simonsen tipped Andy Taylor's free-kick wide minutes after Bowerman had threatened again.

North End – who beat Hartlepool 5-0 on Tuesday – crumbled and Simonsen's flying stop denied Baxendale a second with 17 minutes remaining as the Saddlers cruised to victory.